Potato-masher



(No Model.)

G. M. DRUM.

.POTATO MASHER.

No. 370,861 Patented Oct. 4, 1887.

N. PETERS, PMlaLilhugmpher. Wnihingloll n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. DRUM, OF LOS ALAMOS, CALIFORNIA.

POTATO-MASH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,861, dated October 4, 1887.

Application filed May 31, 1887. Serial No. 239,912. (No model.)

.for service, fully set forth hereinafter, and

specificallypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my improved masher; and Fig. 2 represents the masher inanother position,the head being pressed down, as when in operation.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates a coiled spring forming the head of the masher and shaped to resemble a helical spring, one end of the same being extended vertically to form the central shaft, B, provided at the upper end with a handle, 0, and the other end of the said spring being bent vertieally, formed into an elbow or scraper, D, and provided with a loop, d, to embrace the central shaft, B. 7

To operate the masher, place the concave head A on the vegetables and reciprocate the handle vertically, causing the shaft B to slide in the loop (I. It will be seen that the spring A will be alternately depressed and expanded, and as small spaces are left between the coils of the spring the vegetables will be pressed therethrough as they become mashed.

Should any of the material in the vessel adhere to the sides of the same, the elbow or scraper may be used to scrape the same down into the center thereof.

The operation of the invention is very easy or light, it being only necessary to press down,

and the spring will assume its normal shape upon being released from pressure, thus enabling the strokes of the masher to be rapidly repeated. Further, the coils being arranged with spaces therebetween, the air is allowed to pass below the masher-head when the spring expands, thus preventing the formation of, a

vacuum, which increases materially the labor of using a masher.

The scraper provided on my masher is a great addition thereto, as potatoes, or in fact almost any vegetables, are apt to adhere to the sides of the vessel and interfere with the proper use of the masher. Further, my masher is made of a single piece of springwire, thus enabling the same to be very cheaply manufactured.

I am aware that heretofore mashers formed of coiled wire have been used; but the same have been formed flat and adapted to be operated in the same manner as an .ordinary mashernamely, by pounding the vegetables, thereby causing the same to be strained or pressed through the spaces between the coils of the said head.

I am not aware that mashers have heretofore been made with a conical-shaped head with a concave under side; that mashers have heretofore been made with the heads having the form of a helical spring; that mashers have been made in such a manner as to adapt them to have the central or upper portion pressed in or down independent of the lower portion, and that the said mashers will upon being released from pressure resume their former positions or shapes, or that mashers have been heretofore made of a single piece of wire to embrace the shaft B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A masher having the head A, consisting of a helical coil of wire the upper end of which is extended vertically to form the shaft or rod B, adapted to be vertically reciprocated, and the lower end of which is bent upwardly and provided with an eye, (I, to receive and guide the vertical rod or shaft B, substantially as In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. DRUM.

Witnesses:

G. J. FULLINGTON,

G. E. GARRT. 

